The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-04-16
HOW | BECAME GRAY.
Tied to a Railroad Track, Waiting
for Death.

Several years ago, while passing over
the Pennsylvania railroad, l was much
impressed by the appearance of one of
my fellow-passengcrs, who occupied a
seat in the same coach with me. 1t
was not that his featWres were in any
way striking, but the popularity about
him was in his thick, full head of snowy
white hair, standing out in abundant
kinky curls on head the owner of
which was yet young man, not more
than thirty years of age. His features
were not remarkable in any way, with
the exception, per APPS, of Il rather sad
look, which seemed to Indicate that he
might have had at some time during
his life a severe mental or physical
shock, the effect of which had made an
impression on him that would last as
long as life.
Somehow, the thought kept recur-
ring to me: What made his hair
white?" Somehow, | could not Danish
him from my thoughts. The scenery
through which we were passing at a
high ratio of speed was grand, yet !
could not enjoy it, and my eyes would
turn from the green hills and deep
gorges. to gaze again at this sad-eyed
stranger wish snowy hair.
| do not think / am impcrtinent or
inq'isitive to an unusual degree, but |
confess that on this occasion l laid N.Y.
self open to the charge of being both;
for left my own scat and took the va
cant one in front of him, the back of
which turned over so that | was i'm
mediately face to face with the object
of my curiosity.
After time | made some remark in
tended to be Introductory. He replied
politely. An informal conversation
followed. Then | ventured to refer to
his white hair. Instead of showing
surprise, he evidently expected the al
fusion, and had understood why ]
sought his company. He replied;
"Your curiosity, sir, isnatural, and you
must not suppose that you are the first
person who has made u similar inquiry
for | am questioned almost daily ms tC
the cause of my hair being white, al
though am barely twenty-eight year,
of age. 1t turned from jet black tC
Its present snowy whitcncss in ont
night,
Three years ago. he continued, 80
was in the employ of large wholesale
house in New York as travelling stles
man, and found myself in II Western
State at about this time of year, on ont
of my business tours for the house.
was obliged to visit small town in thu
extreme western, part of the State, t.
attend to some collections.
ii was successful in collecting tn,
amount owing the firm, which, to
gether with the sum | already had
amounted to nearly three thousand dol
lars.
THE village had been greatly ex
cited for several weeks over the deprc
datons of horse-thieves in The neigh
borhood; and only the night before m,
arrival. three fine horses had beef
taken from the stables of residents o
tho village, and of course many of tn
people were in a high state of excite
m mt. Pirties were out in every direc
ton searching for the thieves an,
hors's. AMI all strangers were looke
uuon with more OF less suspicion.
When | was ready for my retur
trip. one Of or old customers, of whnr
lad Just collected large bill, an
VINO ld again favored our house wit
0a order fo' goods, informed me that
faw mi e. away on the line of the rail
road new place was st starting.
already hac ,wo stores; and he strong
" advised me stop of there. as migt
by =, doing secure an order for goods
I thoLg.t 1t well {, dc ~.